Shanea’s Comments (group member since Dec 02, 2012)

Shanea’s comments from the Classics Without All the Class group.

Inaya wrote: "I don't know many libraries here in UAE, so I got it second hand from Better world books. It still hasn't arrived though and I'm getting just a little bit anxious..."

When did you order it? It can take me a week or more to get packages later than the listed day, at times.

Gary wrote: "Hello Shanea, Zola is not all that popular in the States, but I believe he was a world caliber author. His book "Nana" is his most popular, and I have not read that one yet. Maybe everyone else ..."
I figured, it was from this book club's bookshelf that I first heard of him in the first place. Well, he's in the running this month on the polls. Perhaps now is the time.

Elle wrote: "Elle
I'm in Brisbane, QLD.
I don't know if I have a favourite author, I like a few different authors; Sylvia Plath, Salinger, Haruki Murakami, and Frida Kahlo.
Favourite genres are children's adv..."

Hello Elle!

Jeane wrote: "Karen wrote: "I borrowed it from the library but loved it so much I am going to have to own a copy. I went to Spark Notes after I read each section. I tried to go to shmoop this morning but it cr..."

I have not had much time to peruse, but it appears as if shmoop tries to be a bit younger and friendlier. It has a lot of things that adults wouldn't necessarily need, but that students studying might like, or that teachers may utilize, like flashcards. I like shmoops attention to detail, but it can be difficult to navigate. (I dislike that it goes to a summary before the chapter by chapter summaries, because I can not avoid at least catching a bit of the plot, and greatly detest spoilers.) The resource section is nice, but unless it is something that you take seriously for educational reasons, or are can click links for a while like just because you want to know more it might not be very useful.
At first glance, other than what is previously mentioned, the general layout and a difference in tone are the main deciding factors.
If you like your action broken down moment by moment in bullet format, then shmoop's your site, and if you prefer a more traditional paragraph approach to a summation more thematically concentrated then SparkNotes would be preferable. A combination of the two would most likely be ideal in an overly complicated book.


*This brief comparison is based on the two sites treatments of my two favorite books, and my opinion may be altered in the future. Also tell me if there are any grammar problems, because there are red lines everywhere because of the alarming number of copywritten names that are not words I have mentioned.


**TL;DR Shmoop is more detail oriented and choppy, somewhat unnecessarily at times; SparkNotes is more fluidly broad, concentrating on main plotlines, but might skip over some details.

Great to hear you liked it Karen. It's very encouraging.
It appears that the library is still one of the best places for us. 3 out of 3 is a pretty good streak, considering the number of options available to us.

I've never heard of shmoop.com. I'll have to check it out when I am pretending to be a responsible adult again, and not staying up past my bedtime. :)

Pam wrote: "Going to read the book from my library."

A sound plan.





Pun intended.

There are lots of options for picking up "The Sound and the Fury."
I picked up a copy at the library. Though, admittedly I've barely glanced at it so far.
What are your plans for reading this month's book? Do you intend to grab an E-book, a print copy, audio, or a combination of the three?

Karena wrote: "I think the best thing is they are able to start a dialogue about books. You don't have to agree with the post, but it's a great way to get a conversation started."
Very true.

Karena, they have some interesting articles, and then they have some interesting articles that also make me question my sanity as I am reading.

Hello. Since we all spend at least a small amount of time searching about for books, there is probably a fair bit of knowledge of various websites or organizations that are literary related lurking among our brains. Would anyone be interested in sharing their sources for books or for book recommendations on the web? It would be particularly helpful if you could share sources for classics that we would be reading, and perhaps I our someone else could compile them into a sort of resource section.

Gary wrote: "hello, my name is Gary and I hail from Moses Lake Washington. My favorite book is Germinal by Emile Zola. I like the Russian authors the best. And I read 19th Century classics as my favorite tim..."

Hello Gary. I've never read anything by Emile Zola, but he becomes very popular every time someone attempts that Classic Author Challenge.

Thomas wrote: "Hello, I'm Thomas from Michigan. I recently rekindled my interest in classic lit, so I thought this group would be perfect for me. I look forward to the March selection, The Sound and the Fury (I h..."
Hello Thomas.

Lindsey wrote: "The double standard does still exist I believe although a woman would not be "punished" as harshly today. I kinda reminds me of, and excuse my language, the term "slut shaming." You bring up a grea..."

I wasn't even thinking about it as far as slut shaming, but you're right.
It's funny that you say that most things you say call it a rape, because I've noticed that most of the analyses/discussions/summaries I have read will use any synonym or idiom in their repertoire to beat around the bush and not use the r word.

I was never fond of this book, but it has been interesting to me the way it handles certain subjects, and the way society has not changed in some ways. It's sort of like a literary time capsule in a way, which uncomfortably doesn't hold that much change in some areas. While we nowhere near the severe sexism in society today, I can imagine some of the responses to particular events would be the same.
One of these instances is the double-standard of their secrets. It is fine for him to have had a relationship in the past, but not her. The way that Tess feels and is responded to about her sexual history by her spouse is upsetting and uncomfortable, whether you as a person consider what occurred rape or not.

Shanea wrote: "Jenna wrote: "Jenna Moquin from New England, writer and lover of horror and suspense fiction. My main reason for joining the group was to add my two cents on a discussion about The Age of Innocence..."

Welcome Karen.

Jenna wrote: "Jenna Moquin from New England, writer and lover of horror and suspense fiction. My main reason for joining the group was to add my two cents on a discussion about The Age of Innocence. I'm also a f..."
Hello Jenna!

Sandra wrote: "Audible has like 10 different versions/narrators of this and so does Amazon. Which is the best book version and best audio version to get/read?"

I last listened to a audio version years ago and that was on Librivox. I am of no use here. O_O

Lisa wrote: "I'm not proud to say, I just finished! I put it down for months, read 2.5 other books in that time, and finally had to make it my New Year's resolution to finish it. Must find a quick and light boo..."

Congrats. I know what you mean, gotta get that fluff read in between your hard books or your mind turns to mush.

George wrote: "Hello All!
My name is George
New York, NY
Favorite books: The Shining, Sword of Shannara, I Am Legend, Good Omens, Slaughter House Five, Lord of the Flies just to name a few.
Favorite Authors: Step..."
Hello George! It's very rare to come across someone who has read anything by Terry Brooks.